Fundraiser Benefits Children’s Hospital

Credit Unions for Kids Benefit

We’re participating in a Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser! The Miracle Jeans Day-Credit Union for Kids benefit raises money for our local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Donate at any branch throughout September to benefit Johns Hopkins Children’s hospital.

Miracle Jeans Day
The Miracle Jeans Day-Credit Union for Kids fundraiser began with employees. Freedom employees were encouraged to donate $5 for the opportunity to go “Casual for Kids” by wearing jeans. The one-day event took place on September 13. Proceeds support John’s Hopkins Children’s Hospital’s greatest needs, including include life-saving research, treatments, equipment and charitable care.

Collection Boxes Available in all Branches as Benefit Continues
Fundraising continues through the end of September. As more employees give, we encourage members to chip in as well. Help us reach our goal of $1,000 in donations!

Sponsorships and Giveback
It’s important to us to give back. To support the Harford County Community, we provide free financial education, support local organizations, and routinely volunteer in the community. It’s all about making Freedom a special place to work and a special place to bank.

CUAid for Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Help Texans in Need

Helping Those Hit by Hurricane Harvey

The National Credit Union Foundation has activated the online disaster relief system CUAid.coop. This web site helps raise money for credit union people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Donations may be made directly at CUAid.coop. Alternatively, go to the CUAid PayPal link to use a credit or debit card or a PayPal account. Your restricted donation goes to CUAid.

You can also make a donation via the American Red Cross.

Freedom works to make a difference in our community, and our country. Join us and Belong to Something Special.

Golden Apple-Plus Educator Award

Golden Apple-Plus Educator Award Winners

2017 Golden Apple-Plus Education Award Winners — Freedom’s 2017 Golden Apple-Plus annual Educator Award winners! Pictured are (L to R): Sandra Waltemire, special education teacher at North Harford Middle, runner-up award; Patrice Ricciardi, Freedom Business development Specialist; Paula Pawlowicz, fifth grade teacher at Churchville Elementary, the winner!; Mike MacPherson, Freedom President and CEO; Kim Mayforth, early intervention special educator at John Archer School, runner-up award; and Randy Geyer, Principal, Bel Air High School.

We’re happy to announce that Deborah Pawlowicz has won our 2017 Golden Apple-Plus Annual Educator Award competition. Ms. Pawlowicz wins the top $1,000 prize for her idea to use technology to improve the reading skills of her students.

We support the Harford County education community. Therefore, this annual Golden Apple-Plus Annual Educator Award is for a Freedom member who is also a deserving teacher, school administrator or school support employee. Ms. Pawlowicz is a fifth grade English Language Arts teacher at Churchville Elementary. She states in her entry that she wants her students to read with a purpose, and to be able to really understand and analyze text. This is often a challenge when reading is done on a computer. Therefore, Ms. Pawlowicz recommends buying a website subscription to enable this interaction. Features include a way for both the teacher and students to choose their reading level. This way, students who are struggling readers can read and interact with the same article that gifted readers use. This award allows Ms. Pawlowicz to purchase the needed subscriptions.

Runner-Up Winners

There are two Runner-Up awards with each recipient earning a $250 award. The Golden Apple-Plus Education Award runner-up winners are:

Kim Mayforth, an Early Intervention Special Educator in the Infants and Toddlers Program at John Archer School. Ms Mayforth works with developmentally challenged children from birth to age 3. She proposes the purchase of adaptive toys that promote the learning of cause and effect and intentionality. The toys also foster communication, motor development and social-emotional development.

Sandra Waltemire teaches children with significant intellectual disabilities at North Harford Middle School. Her idea is to purchase supplies and ingredients to help her students apply skills in a real-life-situation — completing a cooking recipe. In the process, functional math skills, such as budgeting, price comparison and measurement are taught. In addition, students learn to independently prepare food at home in the future.

All Golden Apple-Plus Award applicants are asked to submit an essay demonstrating how their idea serves their students, class, school and the Harford County community. A panel of Freedom employees and board members judge each year’s entries.